Star Trek & Superman - Twin Pillars Of American Optimism

I feel like I've been preparing my whole life for this show. I'm a Baby Boomer, but within that generational cohort, you could say I'm as much a Star Trek baby boomer as anything else. I was 12 when the original series debuted. Even though it ran only three seasons and was never a real hit, I was ripe for the plucking. This vision -- Wild West style adventure in a utopian future setting -- was incredibly seductive. The TV worlds we choose are the worlds we wish we lived in. The world of Star Trek was everything I wanted and didn't have. My relationship to Star Trek: The Next Generation had a longer -- almost literal -- gestation. I discovered that show, stripped out five nights a week, right after the birth of my son. Taking care of an infant leaves you constantly in jeopardy of losing your mind. My wife and I came to look forward to that thoughtful fantasy world. You can join the conversation, e-mail colin@wnpr.org or Tweet us @wnprcolin.